Hla Naing

Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD)

The Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD) is an independent and non-political think tank undertaking evidence-based policy mobilizing domestic and international development resources to improve Myanmar. CESD undertakes public policy research across a range of topics including food security and rural development, governance, labor market reform, macroeconomic reform, and the Myanmar Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, seeking to provide evidence-based policy research, results-orientated knowledge sharing, and people-centered public advocacy to support the peaceful and sustainable transformation of Myanmar. CESD supports Myanmar's reforms in achieving: Comprehensive development measured by achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Economic transformation marked by the successful implementation of regional integration under the ASEAN Economic Community. Sustained and inclusive growth with greater improvement in the standard of living at par with middle-income countries and graduation from the status of Least Developed Country. CESD's objectives are to play a central role in supporting economic reform, poverty reduction, and good governance; receive feedback on the progress of reforms and review and inform policy implementation; execute special programs and projects critical to the success of reforms, supplementing legitimacy deficits, weak organizations, or poor capacities of public institutions; provide training and education services for key institutions and organizations contributing to Myanmar's reforms; and offer innovative solutions to overcome limitations to a successful transition.